Other gun facts
In reply to a recent letter “Facts on Guns” the author states that a previous letter concerning firearms confiscated with illegal search and seizure without probable cause and/or due process “is factually incorrect,” referring to a law approved by voters in 2016.
The law, I-1491, backed by The Alliance for Gun Responsibility and bankrolled by billionaire Michael Bloomberg and venture capitalists Hanauer, Allen and Ballmer, authorizes a judge to issue an “extreme risk protection order” to confiscate firearms if petitioned by citizens fearful of someone possessing firearms, also known as red flag laws.
The author’s reference might be factually incorrect because the order could be based on arbitrary factors and possibly unfounded reported behaviors.
Which may be construed to be without probable cause.
The law authorizes the court to issue the order ex parte.
Which may be construed to be without due process, possibly resulting in an illegal search and seizure.
The author infers that the State Patrol should not sell firearms to generate revenue because “it’s a dumb idea” where there is a remote possibility that they might be used in a crime.
He cites an Associated Press analysis that more than 6,000 firearms were sold between 2010-2017 with more than 12 turning up later in crimes (approximately .58 per year).
The danger to society is debatable.
The sale of firearms might be used to protect the author.
What’s the cost to taxpayers destroying 6,000 firearms?
The author’s “willing to chip in a few bucks a year” though.
Roger M. Foszcz,
Port Angeles